P.C.E. Bomb Squad Run, The mini tour!

And we started with 12 with a twist in the mix! This would be a Bras and lace ride. Why? because you can always count on the P.C.E. trail trolls making you pay!

We started with 12. Interestingly Mike Laurin from San Pedro posted up that he was coming at 5:30 that morning. Lucky for him there was room in the shuttle. I am sure he did not know this is a reservation ride. To make things a little more interesting I miss counted by one assuming Voodoo Tom was Tom F. So my numbers were off. Luckily Kurt the shuttler can take up to 6 I think comfortably or else I may have been sitting at the curb with my thumb out! Yikes!

The Bomb Squad of Mikie, Mike L., Mike O, Weasel (his wife, Moria, Dennis, Jeff, Pete, Jason, Tom(Voodoo I keep forgetting to ask him how he came to that handle), Tom T-2, Tom F (The Brit) and me. Whew I think I got it. 3 Mikes 4 Toms in one ride, what a brain twister!

We get all loaded up with Sempai Jordan our shuttle driver and Kurt the P.S. shuttler and up we go. We arrive to temps in the low 50s a slight breeze and bluebird skies! I had been a bit worried that the wind was gonna be a factor since it had been howling all through the southland but it would not be a factor.
Shortly after we unload Crazy bear shows up with 16 and two other groups roll in. There must have been 50 people getting ready including a group from San Diego. We hustle up and dive in ahead and there was no catching us on the first leg to the first creek, we were HAULIN THE MAIL BABY!
The trail now begins to have short thumper tecky climbs and drops all the way down to the wash and is just Mtb heaven. On about the 3 techy climb I spin out and dump over and wouldn't you know it i am the first to don the Bra! Piss! Oh well all is good cause it would be short lived. Dropping into a creek crossing Pete stuffs a tire and goes out the front, the only injury is to his ego and he peels the bra off me and slides in. We bounce and swerve for about 20 minutes meet up with Mike O and his other half . Jason backs in to a cactus bud, and man that thing was in there. I broke four twigs trying to pull that thing out of his ankle. Finally with him grunting and sweatin it comes out. Yep you got it his turn to cross dress. We hit the wash with temps warming in to the 60s and slog to the oasis for a quick break. Next up is up to Hans and the bomb down. Everyone stays focused and comes in clean, what a great section. Now the grunt. This is the first time I had put this section into this ride. We climbed back up Dunn with two nasty sections called the Wall and mini wall. Steep chit, and after 25 miles! Well it was tough. Kudos to Jeff and Pete for pushing up. Two tough dudes! At this point we are back at the Oasis refueling for the final epic decent down Art' s Johnson or the Cathedral Canyon trail. What a gas! This trail is awesome. Starts out rolling up and down with more twists and turns than a coyote chasing a rabbit. It then starts to drop and then really starts to drop! Talk about exposure! A 12" single track hugging the hillside with loose hairpins and the valley below. Good job Pete and Voodoo in cleaning the drop on the middle. We had a couple other mishaps along the way. Tom F was flying through the rocks and blew out a spoke . I checked the wheel and it just had a little wobble so after securing the spoke we are back at it again. A few miles later he then wads up his derailleur . Looked like a birds nest with a chain in it. We untangle it , untwist the cage and he is back in business with a new outfit to match. There was another mechanical with Mike Newenglender. Unfortunately it would be the end of the road for him. Just as we finish Bombing Hans we begin the tricky steep climb out and he drops a ...... Pedal? No way! I couldn't believe this one. Sure enough nothing but the spindle sticking out of the crank. When it fell off the nut that holds it on must have fell out of the housing, it could not be screwed back on. Yes, he was screwed. And yes we made him a cross dresser. No mercy in this crew! He finally made it out pushing on the spindle and would have to miss the best part of the ride. Damn Crank Bros. pedals!
A great ride and an awesome Imtb cast. Again Kudos to Jeff and Pete for pushing through and what a rider Mike O's wife was. That girl got through most everything, working the trail like a pro! Dennis with his usual off color good natured self, Voodoo, t-2 and Jason working the Tech. Bummer about the cacti Jason, I think he hit some again a little later. Mike O. the adventurist and smooth rider that he is and The rippen web Masta! Your the best Mikie! Voodoo, Mikie, Mike O, Jeff, Dennis and Tom (T-2) you guys got lucky! Would have loved to see you in that red lacy D sized bra!
Thanks to all you made my weekend. Rubios hit the spot!
Some pics.

I was duty bound to hanging with Moria, and was super stoked to see her have a great first time single bike riding in this great area. She hasn't been riding a lot lately, so the optional Hahn loop worked to her advantage as a mid-ride rest.

That Art J finish was quite "heady" (as she aptly put it) as well as technical. She did a great job of managing fatigue at this point, dismounting some and riding discreetly. Thanks to the team for disregarding my request to not wait for us!

Nice riding and good fun, guys.

If you haven't ridden in the Palm Canyon area, put it on your short list. Every variation of the PC Epic is epic, IMO. The season is young!

I was duty bound to hanging with Moria, and was super stoked to see her have a great first time single bike riding in this great area. She hasn't been riding a lot lately, so the optional Hahn loop worked to her advantage as a mid-ride rest.

That Art J finish was quite "heady" (as she aptly put it) as well as technical. She did a great job of managing fatigue at this point, dismounting some and riding discreetly. Thanks to the team for disregarding my request to not wait for us!

Nice riding and good fun, guys.

If you haven't ridden in the Palm Canyon area, put it on your short list. Every variation of the PC Epic is epic, IMO. The season is young!

Bomb Squad Adventures, LLC is a world class outfit, with resources (Sempai Jordan, 2000 Excursion, and the T-2 Trailer) and sub-consultants (CargoBikeKing) to ensure everyone has an epic day! Mr. Bomb made sure everyone got out of the desert safe, so thank you for being gracious.

Whole lotta fun! Great group! Skills all around for finishing up with Art Johnson!

Great report @Tom the Bomb and an even better day of riding with the bomb squad troops.

TTB posts up a ride invite for palm canyon which I’ve never ridden but heard many great tales about so at some point I knew I had to get me some. Didn’t have any real plans for the weekend and thought I would lay low and give my aching shoulder & finger a bit more recovery time so I never chimed in. Then Friday afternoon rolls around and I get a phone call from the bomber himself saying there’s room for 1 more. I tell Tom of my concerns with my achy body but he assures me “you got this”… Hate missing out on rides that I just know are going to be epic so I had two choices. Stay home and kick dirt around or suck it up buttercup and go ride with the big dogs so I wisely chose option #2.

Tom you hit the good stuff with your report. I must add though that you are one fine ride host. You set out with a plan and we stuck to it and it was obvious to me that you wanted everyone to have a good time and return home safely. The bomb squad shuttle rig was like riding in first class. For an explanation of my Voodoo handle you can refer to this http://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/i-rode-my-bike-today.2149/page-22 see posts #650 & 652 haha.

The palm canyon trails are just off the chart fun but one must proceed with a bit of caution. The whole damn place is just looking to bite you as many wise people here have said in the past. Talk about exposure & technical. I love that kinda riding but let me tell ya Art Johnson got my attention. I'm not too proud to say that I got off my bike and walked a few sections.

@mike you are the man. Great to finally meet & ride with you. I’ve been reading your reports forever and I knew you were a tough dude with a serious passion. At one point I look over and see you have a blood soaked sleeve and next thing I look and you’re wrapping that sucker with about 20 rounds of tape to soldier on. You sir have also got one major rockstar of a wife. I think I can safely say that no other man on this site would dream of taking his better half on a ride like that. Props to you bud…

As always great to meet new peeps and ride with old friends. Felt like a major accomplishment to not wear the pretty bra all day.

Yeah his "Tommy tip over" was right in front of me so I had to call him out.

When some guys in another group went by as @Tom the Bomb was putting on a large cupped red bra in the middle of the desert with a bunch of dudes, well...

I can say that this new version of Palm Canyon with the Hahn Trail loop and finish with Art Johnson Trail is a complete winner! Even with the Dunn Road climb back to the Oasis, arghhhh! I'll add commentary as I get the time to the pics...

EPIC! Must do ride, but you gotta bring your "A" game to get through the terrain at speed without crashing in the techy, blowing out a rear derailleur, or spokes, or side wall... and then there is the prickly unfriendlies...
(especially if the penalty is donning women's undergarments)

Got to give it up to Pete who hung in there, he was definitely some comic relief with humor through out the day.

I never told anyone but Jeff and I know he took a header right in front of me on a very tough switchback finishing up Art Johnson (kudos for even taking it on, I walked it.). Jeff would have looked good in the mighty red bro-zierre.

Awesome day! Thanks again to Tom for organizing such a great ride (and the much appreciated technical support!) My bike's currently in getting new spokes, wheel repair plus new derailleur and chain so I guess what they say about this trail is true - but totally worth it! See you on the next one.

That ride is always a butt kicker but always a lot fun. The super loop with going back up Dunn Road was a challenge when at mile 25 you look straight ahead and all you see is a dirt road going straight up in front of you. As mentioned, Art Johnson gets your attention real quick. Thanks Tom the Bomb for putting this together and a props to everyone on the ride, a great riding with everyone, no slouches, and lots of laughs. I don't know how it could be better.

This is the new Gold Standard Ride Report Thread whenever anyone asks about Palm Canyon. I spit out my coffee a few times... And this gem may be the funniest line ever delivered on IMTB... Bravo, @Mikie ! I bet that other group set PRs after that...

When some guys in another group went by as @Tom the Bomb was putting on a large cupped red bra in the middle of the desert with a bunch of dudes, well...

This is the new Gold Standard Ride Report Thread whenever anyone asks about Palm Canyon. I spit out my coffee a few times... And this gem may be the funniest line ever delivered on IMTB... Bravo, @Mikie ! I bet that other group set PRs after that...

Click to expand...

We caught them sitting under smoke trees in the wash. Only CrazyBear Xavier legitimately took the whole shot.

The first time I got it from TTB after I went OTB and I passed it on to Tom F. when his spoke failure caused us to stop.

The second time I got it from Jason at the bottom of Hahn after my front tire washed out on me while turning right and I passed it on to Mike NewEnglander less than 100' after I donned it when his pedal failure caused us to stop.

Technically it would have been shared quite a few more times during the last 10 miles, but once @NewEnglander had to bail, the red wrath was put away for good. I recall a few dudes walking up Dunn Road, walking down Art Johnson, and getting us lost in Rancho Mirage with poor navigation.

I simply got lucky. I would have been the wearer of the red wrath upon ride completion, and especially through town for all to see.

Ohhhhh CRAP!
Picture Slot machine of the last time we did Palm Canyon Epic!
Now if you are just tuning in to imtbtrails, this is going to appear weird... Okay... even if you are a veteran of imtbtrails, this is STILL weird!@Tom the Bomb came up with this hair brain scheme that if you crash, mechanical, or get stuck by sharp cactus thingy's at any point on the Palm Canyon Epic, you got to don a Double D red brazier. It used to be red panties!
I actually think this is a closet way for Tom the Bomb to wear women's clothing as he was the first to crash on this run... Just sayin'...

The scary part is this Friday we are doing the Black Friday Palm Canyon Epic with Tom the Bomb.... What have you got in store for us, oh hauler of the mail?

Ohhhhh CRAP!
Picture Slot machine of the last time we did Palm Canyon Epic!
Now if you are just tuning in to imtbtrails, this is going to appear weird... Okay... even if you are a veteran of imtbtrails, this is STILL weird!@Tom the Bomb came up with this hair brain scheme that if you crash, mechanical, or get stuck by sharp cactus thingy's at any point on the Palm Canyon Epic, you got to don a Double D red brazier. It used to be red panties!
I actually think this is a closet way for Tom the Bomb to wear women's clothing as he was the first to crash on this run... Just sayin'...

The scary part is this Friday we are doing the Black Friday Palm Canyon Epic with Tom the Bomb.... What have you got in store for us, oh hauler of the mail?

Ohhhhh CRAP!
Picture Slot machine of the last time we did Palm Canyon Epic!
Now if you are just tuning in to imtbtrails, this is going to appear weird... Okay... even if you are a veteran of imtbtrails, this is STILL weird!@Tom the Bomb came up with this hair brain scheme that if you crash, mechanical, or get stuck by sharp cactus thingy's at any point on the Palm Canyon Epic, you got to don a Double D red brazier. It used to be red panties!
I actually think this is a closet way for Tom the Bomb to wear women's clothing as he was the first to crash on this run... Just sayin'...

The scary part is this Friday we are doing the Black Friday Palm Canyon Epic with Tom the Bomb.... What have you got in store for us, oh hauler of the mail?

Click to expand...

Oh come on last time neither of us had to wear the sexy stuff. All we have to do is ride it like the bosses we did last time and have a little luck play our way(and don't let anybody know if you got speared, are bleeding profusely, only have one pedal or one gear and remember your wheels have lots of spokes so if you knock out a few just play dumb and keep going.. I mean we did it last time so how hard can it be?(famous last words of this fool) You should probably leave now though so we make it there on time.